Topic: CB500 clutch adjustment tips and tricks

[Scott S]

 Got a nice ride on the '71 CB500 around the neighborhood today. The clutch is fine, but I feel like I could dial it in a little more. The biggest complaint is that it's engaging/releasing at the end of the lever travel a little more than I prefer.

 I've adjusted them before, but it's been a minute (went through a bunch of 550's). I know the procedure; I'm looking for those tips and tricks that everybody uses to get the 500 clutch "just right".

 And to answer the inevitable questions:

- OG Honda cable, moves freely
- Fresh oil
- clutch pushrod is in one piece
- I removed the worm gear on the side cover, cleaned it thoroughly, reassembled with fresh grease
-lubed the pivot pin on the lever
- unknown condition on the plates, 12K on the bike (no slippage that I can feel)

 Give me your secrets to a buttery smooth CB500 clutch adjustment!

[dave500]

how worn is that corkscrew thread?often if real worn a fair bit of up n down motion takes place which removes some from the lateral motion,the soft alloy female part is still available i think,pretty sure the male hardened thread isnt?

[Deltarider]

Whatever you do, realise that CB500s clutches are not particularly the lightest to operate and that's an understatment.

[Little_Phil]

The procedure says to turn the adjuster back 3mm before locking it off. Try varying this slightly. Maybe a little less, it's very sensitive.

[Deltarider]

What you want to achieve the lightest possible operation is that the arm of the clutch lever is at a 90^o angle when it actually operates the clutch. Unfortunately you will not be able to witness that, as it sits inside the cover  . I've read somewhere, not that long ago, how somebody succesfully improvised a slightly longer arm for easier operation. May have been in the French forum.

[Deltarider]

Trouvé! http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,189822.msg2206682.html#msg2206682